Improving the wear resistance and reliability of the tungsten carbide surface is the key to improving the efficiency of the cemented carbide die in modern industry. Abrasion is one of the main forms of mechanical parts failure, preferentially occurring on the surface of materials, which is closely related to material types, surface composition, structure and surface state. 

 

The surface modification treatment technology can significantly improve the surface hardness and wear resistance of tungsten carbide, thus prolonging the service life of materials. Solid seepage technology, ion implantation and surface coating technology of tungsten carbide are the most frequently-used surface modification techniques.

 

 

Solid Seepage Technology

Infiltrate elements in powder or paste diffuses in the hot state to make the matrix alloy form the surface diffusion layer and achieve the purpose of modification. Research shows that the tungsten carbide drawing die has been co permeated with boron and lanthanum, and the hardness is up to HV4400, of which the hardness is about 3 times higher and the service life is increased by 2-3 times.

 

Surface super hardening treatment of YG8 wire drawing die by thermochemical co impermeable method. Its microhardness is above HV3000, which is 2.5 times the hardness before treatment, and the average service life is increased by 3 times.

 

Ion Implantation

As early as 60s, it was used in the doping technology of silicon wafers. It is found that the ion implantation treatment of the mould is successful, and the life and hardness of the die are obviously improved.

 

Surface Coating

At present, the surface coating methods include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), plasma chemical vapor deposition (PCVD), coating materials with nitride, carbide and nitrogen carbide composite coatings.